Nick Krall on Noelvi Marte: “He Has to Earn It”

After serving an 80-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s performance-enhancing drug policy, Noelvi Marte struggled to make an impact in 2024, hitting just .210 over 66 games. It was far from the season the Cincinnati Reds had envisioned for their young infielder.

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Speaking on the Reds Hot Stove show Tuesday night, Reds GM Nick Krall reflected on Marte’s year and what’s expected of him moving forward.

“We thought he had every chance to be the everyday third baseman from the start and become a superstar,” Krall said. “But the PED suspension put him behind the eight ball, and things snowballed from there.”

The Reds have issued a clear challenge to Marte as he heads into the offseason: improve in every aspect of the game.

“We told him to focus on getting better offensively and defensively, take better care of his body, and put in the work,” Krall explained. “He’s taken the challenge seriously. Tito and Brad met with him in Santo Domingo earlier this year, and he’s in great shape. He’s been working hard and trimming down.”

Marte’s path to the Reds’ roster in 2025 is not guaranteed.

“He knows he’ll need to earn a spot during spring training,” Krall emphasized. “The job won’t just be handed to him. If he doesn’t step up, we’ll have to evaluate our options at third base.”

For the full interview with Nick Krall, tune into the Reds Hot Stove. Be sure to visit Cincinnati Reds Talk for the latest team news, exclusive interviews, and comprehensive coverage of the Reds.